The increased interest in Asian beauty has led to many Western adaptations of famous Asian beauty innovations such as cushion foundations, gel moisturizers and finally sheet masks! Just like a few years back with the BB creams, Garnier proves once again its position as an innovator by being one of the first western brands to launch sheet masks at the drugstore. As an avid sheet mask user, I couldn’t be happier sheet masks are getting more and more recognition in the western beauty world and I couldn’t wait to try them out.
The Garnier SkinActive Hydra Bomb tissue mask is the latest addition to the Hydra Bomb range. There are currently 3 versions of the Hydra Bomb sheet mask available (hydrating – calming – mattifying), yet the only one currently available for the Belgian market is the Ultra Hydrating & Revitalizing sheet mask (blue packaging) for dehydrated skin which I will be reviewing today.
The formula is packed with pomegranates and hyaluronic acid, and promises to rehydrate, smoothen and make your skin look radiant in just 15 minutes. After one week (and 3 uses), the sheet mask is said to reduce the appearance of fine lines and revitalize the skin. Garnier even claims that using this sheet mask once is the equivalent of using the Hydra Bomb moisturizer for an entire week. This probably has something to do with the formulation of the ingredients, because you can’t just simply replace your moisturizer with a single sheet mask. Seriously, don’t. Apart from that it also kind of makes the moisturizer look bad imo.
Each sheet mask is individually wrapped in a big sachet and is also sold separately. When opening up the packaging, a light, fresh and watery fragrance tickles my nose. It’s not too strong, which I prefer if you have to wear this for 15 minutes. Like any other sheet mask you have to unfold the soaked cotton sheet before you can apply it to your face. It has two layers: the white cotton sheet that goes onto your face and a blue plastic sheet that you can toss. The blue plastic sheet’s purpose is merely to protect the sheet mask from ripping and make it easier to unfold the sheet mask. It can also help you to apply the cotton sheet to your face if you’re struggling. Just put the double layer on your face, adjust it to your face structure and then peel off the blue plastic.
I’m not exactly sure about this, but perhaps this sheet mask was made for western faces? I’ve never had a sheet mask match my face so well. I love My Beauty Diary masks but the struggle to fit the mask around my nose area is real. I even have to cut out the nose part and lay it on afterwards. No issues with this one though. It sits on tight and doesn’t slide around. The sheet mask is thick and soaked in essence, yet doesn’t drip. This probably has something to do with the texture of the essence, which feels thicker than I’m used to. It almost feels like a liquid gel and doesn’t irritate my skin. Instead, it feels quite refreshing and hydrating, despite of alcohol being one of the top ingredients.
After removing the sheet mask, you should normally pat in the remaining essence before continuing with the rest of your skin care and makeup. Now here’s where the formula gets tricky. The gel consistency makes that the essence becomes some sort of film on top of the face, instead of penetrating it. This causes it to ball up an eventually peel off when you try to add something on top. This is why I will only use this in the evening right before bed. It’s quite unfortunate actually, because the mask actually does feel really nice and hydrating. In the long run, good hydration will help prevent wrinkles, but don’t expect any results after just one week.
Overall the Garnier SkinActive Hydra Bomb Tissue Mask is a nice budget-friendly mask to try out if you’re interested, although I do really recommend you to explore further and check out some actual Korean sheet masks too (Innisfree, Leaders, Mediheal, .. to name a few).
Garnier Skin Active Hydra Bomb Sheet Mask – € 2,50.
Available at the drugstore.
Disclaimer: Product was purchased.